Here is the impact BNP Paribas Open Cancellation Could Have on Local Economy

The cancelation of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells could cost the local economy at least $400 million, according to a report in Hotsr.com. The most recent survey done in 2017 to measure the economic impact of the event to the area estimated it to be more than $400 million with the tournament attracting more than 450,000 people, including 124,000 from outside the region.

Scott White, president and CEO of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, commented to Hotsr, "It's one of our biggest events of the year. This is a tough one to get through. I think a lot of people were very surprised by the postponement. It almost feels like nothing negative is happening, then you turn on the news. Everybody I talked to said they're going to wash their hands more, be more preventive in wiping things down. Everybody I spoke to said this is not going to curtail my lifestyle, I'm still going to travel. People are still shaking hands."

Tourism is the biggest industry in the Coachella Valley, with over 60,000 workers and White says cancelations like that of the Indian Wells event will have a big impact on their earnings as well. "We're reminding event groups that the impact on the tourism worker can be devastating. We had a strong January and February. Bookings for March were up going into this week compared to last year at the same time."

While the Indian Wells tournament has been postponed, the ATP Tour said in a statement that they were monitoring the situation for the coming events. "We continue to monitor the situation daily, working closely with our player and tournament members with the understanding that direction must be taken from local public health authorities."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/39HaFIE